Upper respiratory materials
| Nasal swab | Introduce swab into a nostril (in adults at least 2 cm deep) and rotate; insert swab into the transport system that contains the transport medium |
| Throat swab | Press and rotate swab against the pharyngeal wall; then insert swab into transport medium |
Lower respiratory secretions
| Sputum | Ask patient to rinse mouth several times with tap water, then breathe in and out deeply ten times, expectorate secretion and spit it out into the labelled container – ship container immediately |
| Tracheal/bronchial secretion | As soon as possible after changing the tracheal tube, insert suction catheter as deeply as possible and aspirate secretion; it is best to obtain several secretions from different locations. |
| Bronchial lavage fluid | Aspirate secretions in the nasal, oral and pharyngeal cavities before bronchoscopy; insert the tip of the bronchoscope into the bronchial lumen and seal; inject up to 150 mL sterile isotonic saline and aspirate after a short time; collect lavage in containers |
